The WEST END BIG BUSK at Cardinal Place Victoria, March 26

Live And Acoustic will present The West End Big Busk at Cardinal Place in Victoria on Thursday March 26 (commencing at 11 am) to raise money for the local homeless charity, The Passage. At this innovative event, organised by actor/singer/songwriter Alex James Ellison, a number of West End performers will each sing a 15-20 minute set with only acoustic instruments to compliment them. Vocalists who are confirmed to perform include: Danny Colligan (The Book of Mormon), Jordan Lee Davies (Les Miserables, Molly Wobbly, BBC's The Voice), Brian Gilligan (The Commitments), Jamie Muscato (Dogfight, Rock of Ages, Les Miserables, Love Story, Spring Awakening), Luke Newton (The Book of Mormon), Sophie Reid (Once), Cameron Sharp (Rock of Ages), Jordan Shaw (Miss Saigon).

The West End Big Busk is presented in partnership with Live And Acoustic, a gigging platform for the West End performing community, used to showcase new writing and acoustic covers. Live And Acoustic was founded in 2013 and originally based at the Karamel Club in Wood Green. Its most recent - and highly successful - gig was on February 8 at The Union Theatre, which has now become its new home. The next Live And Acoustic gigs will be at The Union Theatre on June 7 and July 19.

Alex James Ellison was most recently seen as Charlie in Sasha Regan's critically acclaimed production of Richard Taylor and Russell Labey's Whistle Down the Wind at the Union Theatre and as Eddie in the new Tom Lees/Ray Rackham musical Apartment 40C at the London Theatre Workshop (a role he will reprise next month when the show transfers to the St James Studio). Wearing his singer/songwriter hat, Alex wrote, recorded and released (on the Auburn Jam label) his own EP called Duvet Days in March 2014. A passionate performer, he is also very passionate about helping the homeless and the idea for this project has been in his head for the past year and he is excited to finally see it coming to life.

The Passage is a London based charity organization whose mission is "to provide resources which encourage, inspire and challenge homeless people to transform their lives", inspired in its work by the life and teachings of the Christian social reformer St Vincent De Paul, who co-founded the Daughters of Charity in 1633. The "action speaks louder than words" ethos of the Passage has committed the organization to provide a hands-on service to vulnerable people. Donations to the "Big Busk" to support The Passage can be made either by attending and donating in person at the live event or via the www.justgiving.com/TheWestEndBigBusk

Video coverage of the West End Big Busk will be provided by West End Video (who have previously worked on projects such as the WhatsOnStage Awards, Cynthia Erivo's Debut Solo Concert and charity events including WestEndFests and Giggin' For Good www.westendvideo.co.uk ). The footage will be used to increase awareness of The Passage and its work in the hope of gaining further donations through social media! There is already a trailer featuring some West End performers who are supporting the project, which will be live on www.youtube.com/liveacousticuk over this weekend.

A second West End Big Busk is scheduled for June 11 (also at Cardinal Place, Victoria) and further events are planned in the future.